12 Keys to a Guy-Grabbing Christmas Eve Service

Last updated on: November 27, 2013 at 11:42 am by David Murrow

12 Keys to a Guy-Grabbing Christmas Eve Service 2013-11-27T11:42:50-07:00 David Murrow

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Every Christmas Eve, something odd happens in thousands of American communities. Men go to church.

And the next week they disappear, not to be seen again until Easter. Or possibly on Mother’s Day, if enough pressure and guilt can be applied.

Most Sundays, males comprise just 39% the adult population in a typical congregation. But on Christmas Eve, the guys return – hesitantly, hands-in-pockets, making their annual nod to organized religion – often dragged by wives and mothers.

When it comes to reaching men, Christmas Eve services are the Super Bowl of the church calendar. Congregations have an opportunity to impact these men if they plan their services accordingly.

Here are 12 ideas:

Keep the sermon brief. No more than 20 minutes. Tell a great story.
Wrap up the service in one hour or less.
Feature laymen up front – not grandmothers.
Sing familiar Christmas carols that men know and love (in a key the baritones can sing).
Talk about adventurous, dangerous missions. Tell the story of a martyr.
Promote your upcoming events for men.
Employ masculine imagery and language.
Play a video clip from an action film as a metaphor.
Plan a January sermon series that would interest men. Promote it on Christmas Eve.
Keep things professional, rather than homespun.
Present Christ the man rather than Christ the infant.
Focus teaching on Christ’s power and mission, rather than his meekness and gentleness.

Big mistake: Many churches build their Christmas Eve services around adorable little children dressed as angels. Parents crowd the stage area, snapping pictures. This communicates a powerful message to men: Church is a children’s program. I’m not saying a modicum of Christmas cuteness will drive men out the door, but don’t overdo it.

Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” The holiday tides wash in large numbers of men who are strangers to God. Make sure your church services are relevant to these men if you want to see them again throughout the year.

I welcome your comments and questions below, or join the conversation on my Facebook page.

Previous Post

November 25, 2013

We're all running tough mudders ... you've got what it takes

Next Post

November 29, 2013 Does He Still Love Me?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Giveaway Book Review Bullying Career Christmas Church devotion Discipleship Donald Miller Drugs & Alcohol Easter eternity evangelism Family food giving thanks God humor James H. Pence Jonathan McKee Leadership love Marcus Brotherton marriage masculinity men's ministry men's studies movies music Parenting Pastoring patriotism persecution pilgrim politics pop culture Prayer Prison Ministry prosperity religion Saul secularism sex Social Media Television Thanksgiving Uncategorized women Worship youth culture

Select a Month December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who predicted Persia's rise?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jeremiah Isaiah Daniel Ezekiel